Marine Zoning Works for Me

MARINE ZONING WORKS FOR MEBalancing Natural Resource Protection and Sustainable Uses for the Future of the Florida Keys

Mac Stone Daryl Duda

Introduce yourself

MZWM is all about getting people like you (or groups like yours) involved in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges ongoing Regulatory Review Process. The end goal of that process and the end goal of MZWM is balancing marine natural resource protection and sustainable uses of those resources in the Florida Keys. Zoning isnt the only tool in these public agencies toolbox, but its a really important one for both wildlife and people and its the one we are focused on.

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WHOS BEHIND MARINE ZONING WORKS FOR ME?Organizing Members

Who are we? The Organizing Members of MZWM are six non-profit groups based in or focused on the Keys environment and quality of life issues. Every one of our organizations believes that a healthy environment is the foundation of our economy and quality life; that people should continue to be able to use the Keys marine resources in ways that dont harm the environment; that striking the balance between protecting the environment and using it wisely is a real challenge; and that zoning is one of the best ways to meet that challenge.

We hope you agree. This presentation is going to provide you with background on these issues so you can make that determination. 2

The Florida Marine National Sanctuary was designated by Congress in 1990.

It is adjacent to 3 national parks: Biscayne Bay National ParkDry Tortugas National Park Everglades National Park

Facts: Size- ~2900 sq nm Boundary: Mean High Water to 300 depth ocean side, and 10 NM westward.Partnership with the state of Florida

The purpose of OUR Sanctuary is to: Protect the resources of this areaEducate and interpret this unique environment for the public, and Manage human uses of the SanctuaryTHE FLORIDA KEYS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY est. 1990

3-The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) was established by an Act of Congress during a short period of time when both oil exploration was proposed, as well as several large ship groundings that caused significant damage to the reef tract. In order to act quickly to protect and allow recovery, (The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act) was signed into law by President George H. W. Bush on November 16, 1990. -Blue boundary line Florida Keys National Marine SanctuaryThe Sanctuary is adjacent to 3 National Parks (Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park)It also overlaps with 4 National Wildlife Refuges (Great White Heron, Key Deer, Key West, Crocodile Lake)-The area of FKNMS covers 2,900 square nautical miles of coastal waters of the Florida Keys. In general, the sanctuary boundary extends about 200 miles southwestward on the Atlantic Ocean from the northeast point of Biscayne National Park moving along the 300 foot depth line to beyond the Dry Tortugas. It then extends eastward along the Gulf of Mexico to the boundary of Everglades National Park and meets with the southern side of Biscayne National Park.

FLORIDA KEYS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES

Crocodile Lake NWR (1980)National Key Deer Refuge (1957)Great White Heron NWR (1938)Key West NWR (1908)

4NOAA co-manages its waters with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges, which there are four of. The Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges were established between 1908 and 1980 as a refuge and breeding grounds for birds, key deer, crocodiles and other wildlife. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is playing a key role in this regulatory review process by simultaneously reviewing and updating its own backcountry management plan.

Dry Tortugas National ParkEverglades National ParkBiscayneNational ParkADJACENT NATIONAL PARKS

This slide provides a visual of the parks and wildlife refuges.5

Community interest!

Periodic evaluation and public input is good management

Science shows we can make improvements in management

Emerging threats climate change, invasive species, new marine uses

WHY CONDUCT THE REGULATORY REVIEW?

NOAA is undertaking the first comprehensive review of the management plan, zoning plan and regulations for the FKNMS. In response to requests by the public, shifting environmental conditions AND threats, better scientific information, and legal requirements, the FKNMS is involved in a multi-year process to review management issues in the Sanctuary. After many meetings and public input, the SAC has requested that NOAA analyze a broad range of ideas about potential changes to regulations, zones, and boundaries. The primary objective is to improve the diversity of natural biological communities in the Florida Keys to protect, and, where appropriate restore and enhance natural habitats, populations and ecological processes overall AND in each of these sub-regions: Tortugas, Mar-KAY-sus, Lower, Middle, and Upper Keys.6

Protect, restore and enhance natural habitats, populations and ecological processes overall, and

Facilitate public and private uses of marine resources and areas to the extent compatible with the primary objective of resource protection

PURPOSE OF THE REGULATORY REVIEW

THE CASE FOR CONSERVATION

Declining Resources: The Florida Keys is world renowned for fishing and boating and is home to incredible marine wildlife, coral reefs, mangrove habitat, and seagrass beds.Unfortunately, there has been a sharp decline in the health of resources in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary over the past few decades fueled by population growth, increased tourism, water pollution, increased fishing power, and an increase in the number of boaters.Between 1964 and 2014, there has been a 757% increase in the number of recreational fishing vessels.Over the last 30 years there has been a 40% decline in coral cover in the Florida Keys and the average weight of trophy fish catches has dropped by over 90%.The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Conditions Report from 2011 shows: Near-shore problems related to runoff and other watershed stressorsAltered water qualityRegional declines in coral cover since the 1970s that have led to changes in coral-algal abundance patterns in most habitatsCoastal development, highway construction, debris, increasing number of boats, causing severe impacts on habitat.Reduced abundance of selected key species including corals (many species), queen conch, long-spined sea urchin, groupers and sea turtles.Quality of life and Economic Importance: The economy of the Florida Keys depends on healthy marine life.The entire Florida reef tract is worth about $6 billion and supports more than 150,000 jobs annually.It is important to take action to protect these resources and ensure their long-term sustainability given their huge economic importance.Without healthy fish populations, coral reefs and other marine habitats, we will see a drop in tourism as people take their business elsewhereIf the current downward trends in ecosystem health continue, we will see serious impacts to fishing, tourism, and recreation industries.

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HOW CAN WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?Improved Water Quality More Education

Better Enforcement

Active Habitat Restoration

User Friendly Marine Zoning

The focus areas are as follows: (read slide)9

CLEAN WATER IS THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE FLORIDA KEYSVessel Discharges (Sanctuary regulations)

Wastewater (county and state regulations)

Storm water (county and state regulations)

Restoration of the Everglades ecosystem (federal and state regulations and effort)

- Upgrades to wastewater treatment will improve water quality and reduce the number of leaking septic tanks in the Keys. Reduction in stormwater runoff from sources like fertilizer on lawns and other nonpoint pollution could help nearshore water quality.Restoring the Everglades ecosystem is critical to supplying clean fresh water to Florida Bay when it is dry and preventing seagrass die-offs like that which occurred in the summer of 2015. Salinity is the most important water quality indicator for Florida Bay. Historically the system received freshwater deliveries from the Everglades, that water has been cut off- The purchase of land for storage and treatment in the Everglades Agricultural Area will reduce harmful discharges into the St. Lucie and Ca- loos-a-HATCH-ee estuaries. The dirty water discharges to the west move down the western coast of Florida carrying nutrients and contaminated water into the waters of the Florida Keys. If the water is stored and treated South of Lake Okeechobee and sent through a restored Everglades ecosystem, critically needed clean fresh water will be delivered to Florida Bay.

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Public education is key to protecting our Marine Sanctuary Coral reefs, hard bottom communities, and seagrass meadows all suffer from impacts from boaters who are not educated about the resources in the Sanctuary

Providing a user friendly mandatory boater education will reduce damage to Sanctuary resources from anchoring and groundings

MORE EDUCATION

The Sanctuary waters are different from lakes and ocean waters in other parts of the country. There are shallow waters full of benthic resources and aquatic life throughout the Keys. Besides basic boater education in terms of how to operate a boat, boaters must understand how to avoid hitting corals, and scarring seagrass. Further marine zoning is one of the most important management tools the Sanctuary can implement. Boater education regarding different zones and what activities are allowed in different areas will mean better implementation of these zones. 11

BETTER ENFORCEMENT

We need more officers to better cover the vast marine areas of our SanctuaryDumping/DischargesFishing/Spear fishingVessel SpeedPersonal WatercraftVessel Access

Touching/Standing on CoralAquarium/Marine Life Collection Derelict Vessels and ChugsEtc.

Lawbreakers who harm the Keys marine resources are stealing our future. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges and their federal, state and local law enforcement partners have some of the best officers in the nation, but we need more officers to better cover the vast area and better protect natural resources and the people who depend on these resources for their quality of life and jobs. Illegal fishing can be destructive to the fisheries and is not fair to the people who are following the laws. Law enforcement is needed to crack down on illegal fishing practice and keep them from proliferating. Marine zones and speed limits need to enforced by officers on the water.

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ACTIVE HABITAT RESTORATION

Coral Restoration

Sponge RestorationRestoration helps corals, seagrass, sponges, and mangroves

Zoning can help limit the need for restoration

Zoning can protecting nurseryareas and restoration sites

Due to widespread sponge die-offs, researchers and volunteers are working to restore lost sponge habitats. A series of harmful algal blooms has decimated and almost eliminated once thriving large sponge populations in Florida Bay and throughout the Keys. Researchers are now using transplant techniques to accelerate the restoration process, as sponges naturally have weak larval dispersal, are slow growing and take decades to recover. Four species have been grown from cuttings and successfully transplanted, including the large loggerhead and vase sponges. There is currently a three year project underway to restore 15,000 sponges. Sponges are known as foundation species key to our ecosystem. They are dominant filter feeders that pump and filter the water by cycling nutrients and alter the water chemistry. They provide crucial nursery habitat for commercially important spiny lobster and stone crab. New research has discovered another role they play by sheltering myriad juvenile invertebrates within their chambers, like small noisy critters such as snapping shrimp, who attract even more small fish, crabs and shrimps to the sponge by their loud sounds. Restoration by transplanting sponge cuttings into die-off areas can jump start regeneration.While managing water quality and human impacts to coral can reduce disease and overall coral cover loss, impacts like ocean acidification from climate change are largely out of our hands at the local management level. Active restoration of coral reefs and efforts to plant corals in the Keys are important to help overcome the loss of coral cover in the Keys by growing more resilient, and the fittest multiple genotypes of corals to counter effects of global stressors like warmer, more acidic seas. 13

Marine Zoning Plan for Resource Protection and Managing Uses

Wildlife Management Areas Sanctuary Preservation Areas Ecological Reserves Special Use Areas (Research Only)

If we exclude the remote Dry Tortugas Ecological Reserve, only 1.5% of the FKNMS 2900 square nautical miles is zoned in ways to limit or restrict fishing

These are examples of the types of zones used to protect resources in the sanctuary: Most people are familiar with the yellow buoys which mark either Sanctuary Preservation Areas or Ecological Reserves which are our highly protected no-take areas Other zones like Wildlife Management Areas typically in the backcountry manage speed, access, and boating to protect things like nesting areas or shallow seagrass beds There are a couple special use areas which are restricted to protect ongoing scientific activities like the Aquarius Underwater Habitat. A large set of marine zones protecting the reef tract is the Area to Be Avoided which prohibits large vessels (greater than 50 meters) from coming too close to the reef areas this has been very successful in preventing groundings from the large cargo container ships. Additional zones are established in certain areas to address activities such as spearfishing, marine life collection, use of airboats and jet skis. 14

Shallow water areas such as seagrass beds, mangrove islands and shallow coral bottom and the wildlife that uses these areas such as manatees, sport fish and water birds are highly vulnerable to damage and disruption by vessels of all kinds. FKNMSs and FKNWRs existing Wildlife Management Areas (now total 27 and include areas such as the West Content/Little Crane Wildlife Management Area shown here) include slow speed areas, no-motor areas and no-go areas and the prohibition on thrill craft in the Key West and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuges help protect the most sensitive of these important natural resources. Some of the current zones are obsolete and should be eliminated but many more are needed. In most places boaters can still use areas responsibly by simply slowing down to idle speed or turning off their engines. Access to these areas is important and should be maintained wherever possible, but protection of the natural resources must come first for the place to be worth accessing long into the future. 1 min 15 sec 15

1988Tavernier CreekUnmanagedKruer2014Tavernier CreekNo Wake Zone and Wildlife Management AreaMARINE ZONING WORKS!

An example of how marine zoning works to protect marine habitat can be seen in these before and after images. The first image is of the Tavernier Creek area prior to any type of boating management. At this time there were no regulations on boats running across the flats or at what speed boats could travel through the channel. Shortly after, the creek here became managed as a no-wake zone and all of the flats managed as a no-motor zone as part of the Tavernier Key Wildlife Management area. A major reduction in scarring can be seen as well as new growth of seagrass on the channel edges as a result of slower boat speeds and reduced wave energy from smaller wakes. 16

1996Tavernier CreekUnmanaged2014Tavernier CreekNo Wake Zone and Wildlife Management AreaMARINE ZONING WORKS!

A closer look at the channel here shows that with simple, sound management decisions, we can protect and restore our shallow, nearshore habitats. While the re-growth in seagrass is striking, this is also positive news for the wildlife that depends on ample and safe habitat. 17

1998 Garden CoveUnmanaged

MARINE ZONING WORKS! 2014 Garden CovePennekamp SPNon-combustionZone

Another example of how marine zoning works can be seen from these before and after images at Garden Cove. John Pennekamp State Park established no-motor zones on many of their shallow water habitats in the mid 1990s. Again prop scarring can be seen to be significantly reduced along with the filling in with more grass in many of the side channels that boats used to power through. This does not only benefit the grass and other habitat itself but is a sign that disturbance from boats to this important shallow water area has been greatly minimized. This area is a sanctuary for popular game and other fish species. The Pennekamp no-motor zones are some of the most popular bonefish flats in all of the upper Keys. These no-motor zones also protect a number of bird nesting and roosting islands from disturbance. These are safe places for wildlife where they are not perpetually disturbed by boats. We need more of these types of places.

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SANTUARY PRESERVATION AREAS (SPAs)

18 small limited/no fishing areas on the reefPopular diving and snorkeling areasSeparate fishing from diving activitiesProvide mooring buoys to protect corals from anchors

Sanctuary Preservation Areas or SPAs are located on shallow coral reef. There are 18 of these popular diving and snorkeling areas where these uses are separated from most consumptive fishing activities, which are restricted. (*Note some bait and catch/release fishing in some.) SPAs provide important refuge for critical marine species in biologically rich, productive areas of coral reef and have mooring buoys for boaters to avoid anchoring on the coral. However, SPAs cover less than 5 square nautical miles in the Sanctuarys 2,900 snm. Currently, after almost 20 years of monitoring of these areas enjoyed by many visitors to our reefs, zone boundary expansion and adjustments are indicated in some of the preservation areas to include adjacent critical reef habitat to create an adequate buffer and protection from take. Some of these nearby habitats support organisms like large sponges and other invertebrates vital to the reef ecosystem and spawning sites for the larger mature fishes. Considering and reevaluating the intensity of the existing allowable activities may also be warranted in SPAs due to their popularity and heavy usage by divers and snorkelers.19

Success recorded in the Tortugas in new no take marine zones after only 5 years!

Scientists documented a large reformed mutton snapper spawning aggregation and witnessed their spawning for the first time in Florida

There was a 400% increasein mutton snapper spawning biomass and a likely spillover effectECOLOGICAL RESERVES WORK!Christopher Parsons

We can observe how all inclusive marine zoning can affect spawning sites right here in the Keys after the implementation of a research natural area in Dry Tortugas National Park sited next to two ecological reserves in 2007. This Research Natural Area offers year round protection as a no take zone free of all types of fishing and with no anchoring allowed, mooring buoys only. Ecological Reserves enable a diverse natural system that protects a wide range of habitat used by fishes for spawning, as nurseries, and for permanent residence needed for sustainable populations of our reef dwelling organisms.

During the five years post establishment of this no take area, a migratory corridor for adult mutton snappers was identified by scientists during the spawning season in the summer on the full moons. They observed a large reformed spawning aggregation and saw the actual spawning event by mutton snappers for the first time in Florida. The implementation of the Tortugas Ecological Reserves and the Research Natural Area likely has increased numbers of large predatory fish along with other species by both protecting individual fish year round, as well as their spawning groups. These multiple habitat inclusive marine zones are instrumental in the recovery of spawning aggregations because they enable entire life histories at all phases of life cycles in marine organisms to occur without interference from humans. In August of 2016, scientists with NOAA, FWC, and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute begin fish sampling; acoustic tagging; acoustic array servicing; ROV and drop camera deployments; two deployments of a Wave Glider, plus nighttime fishery sonar surveys targeting fish populations and spawning habitat. 20

REEF CARNIVORES IN ECOLOGICAL RESERVESMutton Snapper

Black Grouper

SIZE MATTERS!

These larger predatory carnivores of the reef are slow growing and breed later, resulting in quality eggs and healthy offspring when they have the chance to become larger before they mature, as under natural conditions. Heavy fishing pressure can force populations to develop faster and mature earlier before theyre caught (unnatural selection). This, however causes them to produce lower quality eggs and always smaller sized fish. Besides these big predatory fishes mutton snappers spawning in the summer and groupers in the winter months - other species gather at the same sites to spawn. Scientists observed in the Tortugas protected marine zones groups of cubera and dog snappers, permit, blue runners, horse eye and crevalle jacks and nesting ocean triggerfish. Some species were displaying spawning coloration. Spillover effects were also detected by the monitoring of fish crossing over the protective marine zoning boundary. In just five years after the creation of a non extractive naturalist area along with the nearby Tortugas Ecological Reserves, grouper, mutton snapper, yellowtail, and hogfish had increased in both size and abundance. The areas open to fishing in the Tortugas had either remained the same or had decreasing numbers and size of these fishes over the same period of time. The entire Tortugas region experienced an unpredicted increase in the biomass of these exploited species. In the Western Sambos and the Tortugas Ecological Reserve areas (our only large no take zones in the marine sanctuary), both commercial and recreational fishermen suffered no economic losses and experienced increased catches of especially reef fish outside the protective zones. An ecosystem based approach that protects an area with high productivity from take through marine zoning - if sited properly, is of adequate size and proportion determined by the best available science and includes fishermens input - that takes advantage of maximum spillover and includes varied habitat types, can conserve, protect, and enhance our resources economically and socially as well.

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GET INVOLVED!www.marinezoningworksforme.org

Sign up for the mailing list to stay informedSee if your group would like to become a member Spread the word with friends and neighborsTake part in future meetingsMake official comments when the time comes

www.floridakeys.noaa.gov Speakers contact info

Here again are some action steps that we hope you will want to take.

Our website is a resource for more information and communications with local testimonials on how marine zoning has already worked for both humans and wildlife here in the Sanctuary! We hope you will visit it, sign up for our communications via email, Facebook or TBD and share this with people you know. MZWM will use this contact list to provide general information about marine conservation and sustainable use issues, share updates about the Sanctuary and Refuges Regulatory Review Process and, in particular, alert you to public meetings and other opportunities to make your opinion known to the managers.

You can also go to the FKNMS website and sign up to get notices directly from them. Theres a huge amount of background information on the Regulatory Review Process on this website for those of you who really want to dig deep.

Finally, heres how you can reach me in the future. Im happy to take questions now but if you think of anything later on I will be happy to hear from you.

Thank you very much for taking the time to hear from me. Please get engaged in this process. The future of the Florida Keys marine environment and how we use it depends on us.

Ill be happy to answer any questions that you may have.

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REGULATORY REVIEW PROCESS TIMELINESanctuaryAdvisory Council (SAC) kicks off processSAC working groups on: marine reserves,shallow water habitat protection,coral restoration

Other topics covered in SAC meetings

Public input SAC Finalizes its recom-mendationsfor the public agencies

Public input Agency staffdevelop Draft EnvironmentalImpact Statement with analysis of potential zoning and other regulatory changes and their impacts on the environment and economyPublic comment on Draft Environmental Impact Statement Agencyreviewand responseto public comment

Final Environ-mentalImpact StatementRevisedrulesand zones201220152015 to present2017 (spring?)TBDTBD2013/2014Public comment onFinal Environmental Impact Statement

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WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS (WMAS)Includes Shallow Water areas for Wildlife and Habitat Protection

Habitat Protected: Seagrass, Shallow Corals, Hardbottom, Beaches and Coastal Mangrove Resources Protected: Marine Mammals, Reptiles, Birds, Fishes and Threatened and Endangered Species Establishment of new zones or removal of obsolete zones? Examination of current zones for appropriateness Current Evaluation Involves: Idle speed, no-motor, research/closedZones Types Include:

Shallow water areas such as seagrass beds, mangrove islands and shallow coral bottom and the wildlife that uses these areas such as manatees, sport fish and water birds are highly vulnerable to damage and disruption by vessels of all kinds. FKNMSs and FKNWRs existing Wildlife Management Areas which there are currently 27 of (such as the West Content/Little Crane WMA shown here) include slow speed areas, no-motor areas and no-go areas and the prohibition on thrill craft in the Key West and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuges help protect the most sensitive of these important natural resources. Some of the current zones are obsolete and should be eliminated but many more are needed. In most places boaters can still use areas responsibly by simply slowing down to idle speed or turning off their engines. Access to these areas is important and should be maintained wherever possible, but protection of the natural resources must come first for the place to be worth accessing long into the future. 1 min 15 sec1